resuscitate

verb

re·​sus·​ci·​tate ri-ˈsə-sə-ˌtāt How to pronounce resuscitate (audio)
resuscitated; resuscitating

transitive verb

: to revive from apparent death or from unconsciousness
also : revitalize
resuscitative adjective

Did you know?

The 16th century was a good one for words ending in the suffix -ate. Not only did our featured word, resuscitate, breathe life into the English language but so did the verbs anticipate ("to give advance thought, discussion, or treatment to"), eradicate ("to do away with completely"), estimate ("to esteem" or "to appraise"), and perpetuate ("to make perpetual"). It was a good century for words about words, too—vocabulary, quip, and hearsay all premiered as well.

Examples of resuscitate in a Sentence

The patient stopped breathing but doctors were able to resuscitate him. she hopes to resuscitate the currently defunct charity organization
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Given a second chance to resuscitate his young career, Bryce Young produced something equally as rare during Week 9 of the NFL season — a victory for the Carolina Panthers. Andrew Greif, NBC News, 3 Nov. 2024 Montana Congressional District 1 This Montana congressional district was actually eliminated in 1993 before being resuscitated in January 2023, being apportioned after the 2020 Census. Andrew Depietro, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 That middle ground entails standing by Biden’s multilateralism and his investment in old alliances and new partnerships, moves that have resuscitated U.S.-led collective action and restored the nation’s image as a team player. Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2024 The Times, owned by USA Today owner Gannett, also broke stories about the rally tragedy, including interviews with a witness to the shooting and a local GOP official who tried to help resuscitate Corey Comperatore, the local fireman who was killed. Elahe Izadi, Washington Post, 20 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for resuscitate 

Word History

Etymology

Latin resuscitatus, past participle of resuscitare to reawaken, from re- + suscitare to rouse, from sub-, sus- up + citare to put in motion, stir — more at sub-, cite

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of resuscitate was in 1532

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near resuscitate

Cite this Entry

“Resuscitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resuscitate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

resuscitate

verb
re·​sus·​ci·​tate ri-ˈsəs-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce resuscitate (audio)
resuscitated; resuscitating
1
: to bring back from apparent death or from unconsciousness
2

Medical Definition

resuscitate

transitive verb
re·​sus·​ci·​tate ri-ˈsəs-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce resuscitate (audio)
resuscitated; resuscitating
: to revive from apparent death or from unconsciousness
resuscitate a nearly drowned person by artificial respiration

More from Merriam-Webster on resuscitate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!